Giffords records message to her constituents

by Jaimee Rose - Nov. 15, 2011 12:00 AMThe Arizona Republic

After 10 months of silence, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is ready for her constituents to hear from her again. Late Monday night, a pre-recorded message from Giffords was posted on the website of Tucson newspaper the Arizona Daily Star: "This is Gabby Giffords. I miss you. I miss Tucson . . . even the heat," she says with careful, uneven syllables.

Her voice is changed from the ease and speed constituents will remember before the shooting. But, she says, she's working to improve.

"I'm getting stronger. I'm getting better," she says in the clip, which landed online just hours after Giffords' first post-shooting interview aired on ABC TV, with Diane Sawyer.

"It has been a hard year - for all of us," says Giffords, who was one of 13 injured in the shootings outside Tucson Jan. 8 that also killed six. "Thinking of that day makes me sad. Six people died. Six innocent people. So many people hurt."

She continues.

"There is lot to say. I will speak better. I want to get back to work. Representing Arizona is my honor. My staff is there to help you. They keep me informed on your behalf. I miss you, I miss home. I'll see you real soon."